FOLLOW ME You say that to be a Christian is too difficult. You argue that in a world that is so full of social obligations, to follow the call of Christ is impossible. Your days, your weeks, your year is so fully occupied that you find it hard to spare even a short hour on Sunday to give to God. You have explanations at hand for your forgetfulness, your laxity and earthly entanglements. The way you think shows a misunderstanding of what Christ demands of you as a disciple. When Christ called his followers, was he not aware that they too had obligations to family and civil society? God does not expect you to seize to be human, rather you should use your Christianity to perfect your earthly obligations. God knows that as his follower, you only live for a few years in this world. He knows that during these few years you must struggle to earn a living for yourself. But it is in living this earthly life properly; being loyal to our spouses, being honest to a business partner, trying to be at peace with neighbor, that you answer God’s call to “Follow me”. Elisha was called by Elijah in the midst of turbulent times; when Ahab the wicked King and his evil wife Jezebel were persecuting believers. Yet Elisha readily and generously responded to the call of Elijah. He (Elisha) demanded that he wanted to fulfil his obligation to family for a while and this was granted him and he combined it so maturely with his duty to God (Read 1 Kings 19: 16ff). Also when Jesus called some people as we read in Luke 9: 51-62, he made it clear to them that they must choose God first and not mix up their social entanglements with the call or use same as excuses to play second fiddle to God. No! God understands your human condition and frailty. He understands half sentences and even single words. What he does not understand is the ill will, the total neglect, the outright turning away after all he has done for you as a human being. That’s why Jesus said: “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. (LK 9: 62).
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 04:06:24 +0000
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